Louisville's mayor and police chief say communities can and must be safer.

On Friday, they jointly announced plans to step up community policing efforts.

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City leaders openly admit that violent crime is on the rise, and they know people are tired of it. But they add that officers can only do so much. They say the police and public need to work hand in hand.

Vay Davis, who lives near Shelby Park, agrees.

"I still believe that it takes a village to raise a kid, so the more people that are involved, I feel like it will get better," said Davis.

Davis has lived in her neighborhood for about a year, and like many Louisville residents, she tells WLKY she is happy where she is.

"I actually love this community," said Davis.

But she admits that recent reports of violence in the area have her on edge.

"Personally, I know there have been a few things happen over the past couple of weeks, and sometimes, it has me sort of antsy, like, oh, this is kind of scary. I am a little concerned," said Davis.

Those are the concerns city officials hope to quell with a new push at community policing.

"I think that we have to really invest in this idea that everything that occurs in our city, regardless of whether you live on 43rd Street or you live on Blankenbaker, that what happens anywhere is really a threat to our safety and to our community everywhere," said Rashaad Abdur-Rahman.

Abdur-Rahman is the director of the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods. He says once residents do that, everyone can work to combat violent crime.

Theodore Robinson, who lives in Valley Station, says he would welcome a greater police presence in Louisville.

"I would like to see it get better. You really do not see, I know I do not, me, personally, see a bunch of police officers out and about," said Robinson.

Police Chief Steve Conrad wants to change that.

A grant has helped the department hire 10 new officers.

"They will be free from this role of taking 911 calls. They will actually be working with citizens, as we are, trying to resolve problems," said Conrad.

Many, like Davis, hope the new approach will produce results.

"We cannot just do it by ourselves. So the more eyes you have, the better," said Davis.

The director for the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, was in Louisville Friday.

That organization provided the grant funding that will allow LMPD to hire those new officers.

Since 1995, the federal COPS program has invested more than $14 billion across the country to increase community policing initiatives.